Valve unit fob steam tbaps



I Dec. 17, 1929.

c. H. JOCKMUS 1,739,638

VALVE UNIT FOR STEAK TRAFS Filed Dec. 3, 1927 Patented Dec. 17, 1929PATENT OFFIQE CHARLES H. JOCKMUS, OF ANSONIA, CONNECTICUT VALVE UNIT FORSTEAM TRAPS Application filed December 3, 1927. Serial No. 237,357.

The present invention relates to thermostatic valves for steam trapsuseful in a-return line of steam heating systems or in other sys tems,for the purpose of permitting the discharge of water or air from theradiator or system by the advancing steam but which will close toprevent the discharge of steam from the radiator. WVhile I referprincipally to steam heating systems for the purposes of thisdisclosure, it is to be understood that the invention may be used in anysystem or in any connection where it may be found useful.

Heretofore, valves of this character which employed diaphragm orexpanding units became ineffective for their purposes due to the factthat the diaphragm or expansion elements expanded too far and becamebuckled or distorted, and remained so, whereby their function andoperation were materially affected.

Also, the expanding elements were affected by the hot water whichpreceded the steam and closed the valve before the radiator or line wasemptied of all the hot water or air, whereby the advance of the steamwas checked and the efficiency of the system reduced.

The object of the present invention is to provide a thermostatic valveof the above stated character designed to prevent the expansion of thediaphragms of the expansion elements beyond their elastic limits, andwhich will shield or house the expansion element and support the same insuch a manner as to prevent it from being effective to close the valveuntil steam at 212 F enters the valve casing and trap.

A further object of the invention is-to provide a valve simple inconstruction of low manufacturing cost coupled with the functionaladvantages above stated.

One of the important features of the invention is that the expansion orthermo-dynamic element is completely enclosed in a shield or housingsupported above and protected from the incoming hot Water to retard itseffective operation until the steam heats the thermodynamic element.

Another feature resides in the housing being so constructed that its endwalls engage and limit the expansion of opposing diaphragms, so thatthey will not expand beyond their elastic limits.

A further feature of the invention resides in the construction of thediaphragms having an outstanding bead extending around their entirecircumferences near their peripheries, and which renders them moreflexible under expansion but reinforces them against buckling ordistortion, as the metal from which they are made is very thin.

A still further feature of the invention is the adjustable tubular valveseat which is accessible for adjustment through the inlet or outletopening of the valve trap casing to be adjusted to a nicety according tothe expansion movement of the thermodynamic element by which the valveis operated to engage said seat, the seat member having a. rounded edgeor seat with which the valve engages, which will not score the valve butwill permit it to sit tightly.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear as thespecification proceeds and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing which illustrates the invention as at present devised:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the valve trap casingequipped with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional 0 view taken through thevalve unit which has been removed from the trap or valve casing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 10 designates the valve casing, hereshown in the form of a right angle fitting, having an inlet opening 11and a discharge opening 12, each communicating with a valve chamber 13.The casing or fitting 10 is designed to be interposed in the return lineof a steam heating system and to have its inlet end 11 connectedadjacent a radiator (not shown) by a coupling 1 While the casing 10 isshown as a right angle fitting, it is to be understood that it may be ofother design to be positioned to meet the requirements of prevailingconditions. However, it is preferred, but not necessary, that thechamber 13 be positioned vertically to have its major portion above thefl w of at r between the inlet 11 the outlet 12, in order that thethermodynamic element will not be immediately subjected to thetemperature of the heated water preceding the flow of steam or vapor.

The outer or upper end of the chamber 13 is closed by a removable cap 15suitably threaded upon the chamber. The passage between the inlet 11 andthe outlet 12 is restricted by a central opening 17 having its innerwalls threaded. An externally threaded bushing 18 is adjustably receivedwithin the opening 1'? and provided at its upper or inner end with aninwardly inclinded rounded edge or face forming a seat- 19 for the'valve20. The bushing or seat member 18 is adustable in the opening 17 bymeans of a suitable tool or screw driver which may engage in notches 21in the lower or outer edge of the bushing.

The chamber 13 is designed to receive the removable valve unit, whichincludes a housing 23 containing and completely enclosing or hieldingthe thermo-dynainie element 22, this unit being preferably cylindricalas shown in Figures 1 and 2. The thermodynamic elemcnt 22 comprises twocircular diaphragms 24 and 25 arranged in opposed relation and dishedinwardly toward each other, and a cylindrical side wall 26 extendingbetween the peripheral edges of the diaphragms, thus providing a closedchamber for a volatile substance which will expand at a predeterminedtemperature to move the diaphragms outwardly. The diaphragms are madewith outstanding beads at extending around their entire circumferencenear their periphery. These beads render the diapl agms more flexibleunder expansion and reinforce said diaphragms against buckling ordistortion, since the metal from which the diaphragms are made is verythin.

The marginal portions oi the diaphragms between the heads a and theiredges are laterally extended to form the flanges Z) which extend aroundthe adjacent edges of the side wall 26 of the thermo-element 22. Thebeads a maintain the body portions of the diaphragms in undistortedposition, so that they act uniformly at all times.

The housing 23 for the thermo-dymamic member 22 comprises an invertedcup mernher 0, preferably cylindrical in shape, and having substantiallyflat top wall (Z provided with a central opening a through which theupper end of the valve stem 27 extends. he inverted cup '0 is designedto sup-port the valve unit in position by having its lower edge or skirtrest upon a shoulder 28 on the lower walls of the chamber 13. A secondinverted cup fis removably fitted over the cu-p-cto provide a closedchamber a, which encloses and shields the therm'o element 22 from theheat of the warm water initially passing through the device, to retardthe "closing of the valve until all of the water has passed from theradiator and the element is acted upon by the steam at 212 F.

The cup f has its top wall 7 depressed or concave to conformsubstantially with the dished surface of the opposing diaphragm 2a ofthe element 22. The diaphragm 2% is secured at its center to the centerportion of said wall 7' by any suitable means, such as by a detachableconnection consisting of a bolt 29 projecting from the diaphragm throughan opening in the wall f and secured by the-nut 80. The upper end of thevalve stem is suitably secured to the center of the diaphragm 25 as at31.

The depending side wall or flange of the cover cup 7 engages a head orstop it on the cup 0, which determines the distance between the walls (Zand f and the limit of expansion of the thermo-eiement 22. The element22 used in the present device has a maximum expansion which is greaterthan the distance between the walls (Z and f of the housing 23, withparts assembled, thus permitting it to expand to a point less than itsmaximum value. At this point of expansion the diaphragms 2st and 25 willcontact with the walls (Z and j and will be held confined againstexpansion beyond their normal limits, thus insuring against improperoperation of the element 22 causing distortion or buckling of thediaphragms 24 and 25.

The inverted cup portion of the housing is of cm icient length to holdthe thermoclcn'ient 22 well above the incoming water from the radiator,and the cup f together with the wall (Z of the cup 0 completely enclosethe thermoelement so that its expand ing action is retarded until all ofthe water has passed through the radiator, the side wall 26 of theelement being spaced from or out of contact with the side wall of thehousing.

The valve 20 is formed with a depending projection 32 normally extendinginto the valve opening 1", whereby the valve is properly guidet inposition and maintained against undue lateral shitting or rockingn'iovcments which would be transmitted through the valve stem and thehead to the diaphragms of the thermo-element 22.

As will be observed, the operation of the thermo-element 22 onlypositively aii ects the closing or" the valve 20 and, after the same hasbeen contracted, the valve will be opened thereby.

This construction also convenient assemblage and disassemblage oi theparts constituting the valve element, in order that'any defective partsmay be readily displaced singly, it being only necessary to remove thecap from the valve trap casing and withdraw the entire valve unittherefrom. By removing the part or cap 7 of the valve unit, unscrewingthe valve and the nut 30, a new thermo-element bereadily inserted. Thus,it is manitestthat a very compermits ready and pact, desirable andconvenient valve unit has been provided of simple construction, andwhich possesses features which overcome the drawbacks found in existingvalves.

What I claim is:

1. A thermostatic valve unit insertable in valve casings comprising ahousing having separable members adapted to be fitted together to form aclosed chamber, an expansible member disposed within said chamber, avalve disposed exterior of the chamber, and a valve stem extending fromthe valve into said chamber to be actuated by said expansible member,said housing having downwardly projecting supporting means on its lowerend, whereby the housing is supported in the valve casing above theinlet and outlet openings thereof.

2. A thermostatic valve unit insertable in valve casings comprising ahousing having separable members adapted to be fitted together to form aclosed chamber, an expansible member disposed within said chamber, avalve disposed exterior of the chamber, a valve stem extending from thevalve into said chamber to be actuated by said expansible member, and adownwardly extending skirt projecting from the lower end of said housingto rest upon the walls of said valve casing, whereby the housing issupported in the valve casing above the inlet and outlet openingsthereof.

3. A thermostatic valve unit insertable in valve casings comprising ahousing having separable members adapted to be fitted together to form aclosed chamber, an expansible member disposed within said chamber andsecured in juxtarelation to one wall of one of the said separablemembers of the housing, a valve disposed exterior of the chamber,

and a valve stem extending from the valve through a wall of the other ofsaid separable members of the housing to be actuated by said expansiblemember, whereby the expansible member is shielded.

4. A thermostatic valve unit insertable in valve casings comprising ahousing having separable members adapted to be fitted together to form achamber, an expansible container disposed within said chamber havingopposed dia 'ihragms, one of said diaphragms being secured injuxtarelation with one Wall of one of said separable members of thehousing, a valve disposed exterior of the chamber, and a valve stemextending from the valve through a wall of the other of said separablemembers of the housing to be actuated by said expansible member, saidwalls of the housing being spaced relative to each other to be directlyengaged by said diaphragms to limit their expansion beyond their elasticlimits.

l). A. thermostatic valve unit inse-rtable in valve casings comprising ahousing having separable members adapted to be fitted together to form achamber, an expansible container disposed within said chamber havingopposed diaphragms, one of said diaphragms being secured injuxtarelation with one wall of one of said separable members of thehousing,a valve disposed exterior of the chamber, a valve stem extendingfrom the valve through a wall of the other of said separable members ofthe housing to be actuated by said expani said walls of the housingbeing spaced relative to each other to be directly engaged by saiddiaphgrams to limit their expansion beyond their elastic limits, and adown nrdly xtending skirt projecting from the lower end of said housingto rest upon the walls of said valve casing, whereby the housing issupported in the valve casing above the inlet and outlet openingsthereof.

6. A thermostatic valve insertable in a steam trap comprising aninverted cup member, valve stem slidably extending through an opening inthe top wall of said cup member, a second cup member fitted over theupper end 01 the first cup member to form a closed chamber, athermo-dynamic element within said chamber and secured to the inner endof said valve stem, a valve on said stem, and means limiting the closingmovement of said cup member, when being fitted together, to relativelyspace the top walls thereof so that they n'iay be directly engaged bythe thermo-dynamic element to limit its expansion beyond its elasticlimits.

7. .A thermostatic valve comprising a valve casing having inlet andoutlet openings and a thermo-valve-receiving chamber having a supportingshoulder therein, a valve seat between said openings and aligned withsaid chamber, a removable thermo-valve in said chamber including aninverted cup member, a valve stem slidably extending through an openingin the top wa l of said cup member, a second cup member fitted over theupper end of the first cup member to form a closed housing, athermo-dynamic element disposed within said housing and consisting of acontainer for a volatile substance having opposed concaved diaphragms,one inner wall of said second cup being concaved to have one of saiddiaphragms bear thereagainst and bein removably secured thereon, theinner end of said valve stem being secured to the other diaphragm ofsaid element, a valve removably mounted on said valve stem to cooperatewith said seat, and a cap closing said chamber and normally engaging thesecond cup member to move the edge of the first cup member intoengagement with said shoulder.

8. A thermostatic valve insertable in a steam trap comprising aninverted cup member, a valve stem slidably extending through an openingin the top wall of said cup member, a second cup member fitted over theupper end oi the first cup member to form a closed chamber, athermodynamic element disposed within said chamber and consisting of acntainer for a volatile substance having opposed concaved diaphragms,the top Wall of said second cup member being concaved and adapted tohave one of said diaphragms bear thereagainst, a threaded projection onsaid last diaphragm extending through an opening in said top Wall and anut on said projection exterior of the Wall and lying Within theconcavity thereof, the inner end of said valve stem being secured to theother diaphragm of said element, and a valve on said valve stem.

9. A thermostatic valve unit insert-able in a steam trap including ahousing having separable members adapted to be fitted together, a valvestem slidably extending through a Wall of one or" said members, anexpansible cylindrical member lying Within 29 said housing and betweenthe opposite Walls of said housing, and means limiting the closingmovement of said casing members when the same are fitted together,whereby said expansible member will be limited in its expansionmovements by said opposite Walls of said housing.

In testimony whereof, I have afiixed my signature to this specification.

CHARLES H JOOKMUS.

4. we ges,

